Scriptural Texts and Role of Sikh Scriptures

50 Grade 9 Religious Education (HRE) questions on Scriptural Texts and Role of Sikh Scriptures, with worked marking schemes. 53 questions are available on this topic in full.

1. Question 1

   1 mark

   Which teaching about God is most strongly emphasised throughout the Guru Granth Sahib?

   A. God favours only Sikhs

   B. There are many equal gods

   C. There is only one God who is formless and eternal

   D. God is confined to idols

   (1 mark)

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2. Question 2

   1 mark

   The morning ceremony of opening the Guru Granth Sahib for worship each day in the Gurdwara is called:

   A. Sukhasan

   B. Prakash

   C. Langar

   D. Amrit

   (1 mark)

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3. Question 3

   1 mark

   During morning assembly a Sikh learner reads a passage chosen at random by opening the scripture and reading the hymn at the top of the left-hand page. What is this practice of taking a reading at random from the Guru Granth Sahib called?

   A. Kirtan

   B. Langar

   C. Hukamnama

   D. Sewa

   (1 mark)

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4. Question 4

   1 mark

   The sweet sacramental food prepared from flour, sugar and ghee and shared with all worshippers after the reading of the scripture is called:

   A. Amrit

   B. Langar

   C. Karah Parshad

   D. Prasad rice

   (1 mark)

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5. Question 5

   6 marks

   (a) What is a Hukamnama?

   (b) Explain how it is obtained.

   (c) State its purpose.

   (6 marks)

   Marking scheme

   (a) A Hukamnama is the divine order/guidance taken from the Guru Granth Sahib (2). (b) The scripture is opened at random and the hymn at the top of the left-hand page is read aloud (2). (c) It provides guidance, a spiritual message or the 'order of the day' for the congregation or for a decision (2).

6. Question 6

   1 mark

   When a family sponsors a continuous, uninterrupted reading of the entire Guru Granth Sahib over about 48 hours to mark an occasion, this ceremony is called:

   A. Akhand Path

   B. Amrit Sanchar

   C. Kirtan

   D. Ardas

   (1 mark)

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7. Question 7

   6 marks

   Explain three ways the teachings of the Guru Granth Sahib can promote peaceful coexistence in a multi-religious Kenyan society.

   (6 marks)

   Marking scheme

   Any 3, 2 marks each: it teaches belief in one God for all humanity, discouraging religious rivalry; it includes hymns of Hindu and Muslim saints, modelling respect for other faiths; it condemns discrimination by caste, race or gender, encouraging equality; langar welcomes people of all communities, building tolerance; it emphasises honesty, service and sharing which reduce conflict. Accept other valid, well-explained points.

8. Question 8

   1 mark

   Which of the following is NOT permitted in the presence of the Guru Granth Sahib?

   A. Sitting on the floor

   B. Covering the head

   C. Bowing on entry

   D. Sitting with feet pointing towards the scripture

   (1 mark)

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9. Question 9

   1 mark

   The morning prayer composed by Guru Nanak that forms the opening composition of the Guru Granth Sahib is the:

   A. Rehras Sahib

   B. Japji Sahib

   C. Kirtan Sohila

   D. Sukhmani Sahib

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10. Question 10

    1 mark

    A Sikh naming ceremony for a newborn takes the child's first initial from a hymn read from the Guru Granth Sahib. This shows the scripture's role in:

    A. Sports

    B. Farming

    C. Guiding rites of passage

    D. National politics

    (1 mark)

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11. Question 11

    1 mark

    A pupil asks why the Guru Granth Sahib includes hymns written by Hindu and Muslim saints such as Kabir and Sheikh Farid. Which Sikh value does this best demonstrate?

    A. That only Sikh authors are accepted

    B. Respect for ritual sacrifice

    C. Inclusiveness and the unity of all who praise the One God

    D. Strict separation of religions

    (1 mark)

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12. Question 12

    1 mark

    The very first composition that opens the Guru Granth Sahib and summarises the core Sikh belief in one God is the:

    A. Gayatri Mantra

    B. Ardas

    C. Shema

    D. Mool Mantar

    (1 mark)

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13. Question 13

    6 marks

    A learner claims the Guru Granth Sahib is 'just a book like any other'. Give three reasons a Sikh would use to correct this view.

    (6 marks)

    Marking scheme

    Any 3, 2 marks each: it is regarded as the eternal living Guru appointed by Guru Gobind Singh, so it holds spiritual authority, not just information; it is treated with royal honour (enthroned, fanned, given a resting place) unlike ordinary books; it is the source of guidance for worship, daily prayers and life decisions (Hukamnama); it contains the divine word (Gurbani) believed to lead to union with God; its teachings shape morals, rites of passage and community identity.

14. Question 14

    1 mark

    Before reading the Guru Granth Sahib aloud at home, Gurpreet covers his head and removes his shoes. The opening verse he recites begins with which sacred composition?

    A. The Gayatri Mantra

    B. The Mool Mantar

    C. The Namokar Mantra

    D. The Shema

    (1 mark)

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15. Question 15

    1 mark

    The tenth Guru who declared that the Guru Granth Sahib would be the eternal Guru of the Sikhs after him was:

    A. Guru Gobind Singh

    B. Guru Tegh Bahadur

    C. Guru Nanak

    D. Guru Arjan Dev

    (1 mark)

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16. Question 16

    1 mark

    The Guru Granth Sahib teaches followers to remember God constantly through repetition of the divine Name. This practice is called:

    A. Nam Simran

    B. Kirtan

    C. Langar

    D. Sewa

    (1 mark)

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17. Question 17

    6 marks

    A Sikh family invites their neighbours to a celebration where the holy book is read continuously from beginning to end. The neighbours notice the book is placed on a raised platform and treated with great honour.

    (a)(i) Name the central scripture of the Sikhs being read. (1 mark)

    (a)(ii) State the name given to the continuous, uninterrupted reading of this scripture from start to finish. (1 mark)

    (b) Explain two reasons why Sikhs regard this scripture as their living Guru. (4 marks)

    (6 marks)

    Marking scheme

    (a)(i) The Guru Granth Sahib (Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji). (1 mark) (a)(ii) The Akhand Path - the continuous, unbroken reading of the entire Guru Granth Sahib. (1 mark) (b) Sikhs regard the Guru Granth Sahib as their living Guru because: (i) Guru Gobind Singh, the tenth Guru, declared before his passing that there would be no further human Guru and that the Sikhs should henceforth take the Guru Granth Sahib as their eternal Guru (Guru Maneyo Granth); (ii) it contains the divine word (Gurbani) - the hymns and teachings of the Gurus and other saints - which guide Sikhs in spiritual and daily life, so the scripture itself embodies the wisdom and authority of a Guru. It is therefore treated with the same respect a living Guru would receive. (4 marks)

18. Question 18

    4 marks

    Give four reasons why the hymns in the Guru Granth Sahib are arranged according to ragas (musical measures).

    (4 marks)

    Marking scheme

    Any 4, 1 mark each: to enable the hymns to be sung as kirtan; to preserve the intended mood/emotion of each hymn; to make worship melodious and memorable; to aid concentration and devotion; to maintain uniformity and order in the scripture; to keep the tradition of devotional music alive.

19. Question 19

    1 mark

    When guidance is needed, Sikhs open the Guru Granth Sahib at random and read the first hymn on the left page. This practice of taking guidance from the scripture is called:

    A. Hukamnama

    B. Nam Simran

    C. Sewa

    D. Ardas

    (1 mark)

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20. Question 20

    6 marks

    Explain three lessons that Grade 9 learners in Kenya can draw from the way Sikhs handle their scriptures.

    (6 marks)

    Marking scheme

    Any 3, 2 marks each: respect for sacred/religious things and by extension for elders and property; discipline and orderliness in worship and daily routine; the value of service (sewa) and cooperation seen in shared reading and langar; humility, since all sit on the floor as equals; commitment/consistency in daily prayer; tolerance and unity through respect for saints of other faiths in the scripture. Accept other valid lessons.

21. Question 21

    6 marks

    State three duties of a Granthi in relation to the Sikh scriptures.

    (6 marks)

    Marking scheme

    Any 3, 2 marks each: reads/recites the Guru Granth Sahib during services; leads the congregation in worship and prayers (Ardas); performs the daily Prakash (opening) and Sukhasan (closing/resting) of the scripture; delivers the Hukamnama; keeps the scripture and its cloths clean and cared for; explains the meaning of the hymns (Katha).

22. Question 22

    1 mark

    The person who ceremonially reads the Guru Granth Sahib and leads worship in the Gurdwara is known as the:

    A. Rabbi

    B. Imam

    C. Pandit

    D. Granthi

    (1 mark)

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23. Question 23

    1 mark

    Before reading begins at the gurdwara, the sangat covers the scripture with a beautiful cloth and waves a chaur over it as a mark of respect. Which scripture is being honoured in this way?

    A. The Guru Granth Sahib

    B. The Bhagavad Gita

    C. The Vedas

    D. The Tripitaka

    (1 mark)

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24. Question 24

    5 marks

    Describe the Akhand Path and state two occasions on which it may be held.

    (5 marks)

    Marking scheme

    Description (3 marks): an unbroken/continuous reading of the entire Guru Granth Sahib from beginning to end, carried out by relays of readers without interruption, taking about 48 hours. Occasions (2 marks, 1 each): births/naming, weddings, deaths/anniversaries, moving to a new home, Gurpurbs/festivals, times of thanksgiving or difficulty.

25. Question 25

    1 mark

    The lengthy composition of Guru Arjan Dev, known as the 'Psalm of Peace' and often recited for comfort, is the:

    A. Japji Sahib

    B. Rehras Sahib

    C. Sukhmani Sahib

    D. Anand Sahib

    (1 mark)

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26. Question 26

    1 mark

    In the Sikh community, keeping the Guru Granth Sahib clean, covering it and reciting before it daily promotes the value of:

    A. Commercial gain

    B. Secrecy

    C. Reverence and discipline in worship

    D. Superstition

    (1 mark)

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27. Question 27

    1 mark

    Which Guru compiled the first authoritative version of the Sikh scripture, the Adi Granth, in 1604?

    A. Guru Gobind Singh

    B. Guru Angad

    C. Guru Arjan Dev

    D. Guru Nanak

    (1 mark)

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28. Question 28

    1 mark

    Before entering the presence of the Guru Granth Sahib, worshippers in a Kenyan Gurdwara are expected to:

    A. Wear leather sandals

    B. Light incense sticks

    C. Ring a bell

    D. Remove their shoes and cover their heads

    (1 mark)

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29. Question 29

    1 mark

    A learner asks why the Guru Granth Sahib is unusual compared with other holy books. The teacher explains that besides the Sikh Gurus, it also contains hymns by Hindu and Muslim saints such as Kabir and Sheikh Farid. What does this feature mainly show about the scripture?

    A. It rejects the teachings of the Sikh Gurus

    B. It embraces a universal, inclusive message beyond one community

    C. It was written only for saints, not ordinary people

    D. It replaces all earlier scriptures completely

    (1 mark)

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30. Question 30

    1 mark

    The standard printed edition of the Guru Granth Sahib contains exactly:

    A. 2,000 pages

    B. 1,430 pages (angs)

    C. 800 pages

    D. 500 pages

    (1 mark)

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31. Question 31

    6 marks

    During a visit to a Gurdwara, a Grade 9 learner notices that the Guru Granth Sahib is placed on a raised platform under a canopy, and the congregation bows before it just as Sikhs once bowed before the living Gurus.

    (a) Explain why Sikhs regard the Guru Granth Sahib as their eternal living Guru. (4 marks)

    (b) State TWO ways in which the learner observed the scripture being treated with respect in the Gurdwara. (2 marks)

    (6 marks)

    Marking scheme

    (a) Before his death in 1708, the tenth Guru, Guru Gobind Singh, declared that there would be no further human Gurus and that the Guru Granth Sahib (the Adi Granth) would be the eternal Guru of the Sikhs (Guru Granth Sahib Ji). Sikhs therefore regard it not merely as a book but as the living embodiment of the divine Word (Shabad/Bani) and the teachings of the Gurus; the Word itself is the Guru. It contains the hymns of the Sikh Gurus together with the writings of Bhagats (saints) such as Kabir and Namdev, giving spiritual guidance for all of life. (any 4 well-explained points) (b) Any TWO of: it is placed on a raised platform (Manji Sahib/Takht) under a canopy (Chanani/Palki); a chauri (fly-whisk) is waved over it; people bow before it and never turn their backs to it; shoes are removed and heads covered in its presence; it is opened (Prakash) and closed (Sukhasan) ceremonially each day.

32. Question 32

    1 mark

    At a Gurdwara visit, Manjit notices the congregation bowing to a large scripture placed on a raised platform under a canopy. Which scripture is being honoured as the living, eternal Guru of the Sikhs?

    A. The Guru Granth Sahib

    B. The Bhagavad Gita

    C. The Dasam Granth only

    D. The Janamsakhis

    (1 mark)

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33. Question 33

    1 mark

    The devotional singing of hymns from the Guru Granth Sahib, usually accompanied by harmonium and tabla, is called:

    A. Kirtan

    B. Path

    C. Katha

    D. Ardas

    (1 mark)

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34. Question 34

    1 mark

    A special feature of the Guru Granth Sahib is that it contains hymns not only of the Sikh Gurus but also of:

    A. Buddhist monks only

    B. Christian apostles

    C. Greek philosophers

    D. Hindu and Muslim saints (bhagats) such as Kabir and Farid

    (1 mark)

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35. Question 35

    1 mark

    The evening ceremony of respectfully closing the Guru Granth Sahib and carrying it to its resting place is known as:

    A. Kirtan

    B. Sukhasan

    C. Ardas

    D. Prakash

    (1 mark)

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36. Question 36

    1 mark

    The central scripture of the Sikh faith, regarded by Sikhs as their eternal living Guru, is called the:

    A. Guru Granth Sahib

    B. Vedas

    C. Ramayana

    D. Bhagavad Gita

    (1 mark)

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37. Question 37

    6 marks

    Explain three ways in which Sikhs show respect to the Guru Granth Sahib during worship in the Gurdwara.

    (6 marks)

    Marking scheme

    Any 3, 2 marks each: (i) Remove shoes and cover the head before approaching; (ii) Bow before the scripture on entering; (iii) Place it on a raised platform (Manji Sahib) under a canopy; (iv) Wave the chaur (whisk) over it as a sign of royal honour; (v) Sit on the floor below its level and never point the feet towards it; (vi) Keep it covered with clean cloths (rumalas) and give it a resting place (Sukhasan) at night.

38. Question 38

    1 mark

    A guest visiting a Gurdwara asks why the scripture is fanned and placed higher than everyone else. The best explanation is that Sikhs regard the Guru Granth Sahib as:

    A. A charm for good luck

    B. A museum object

    C. An ordinary reference book

    D. A living Guru, not merely a book

    (1 mark)

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39. Question 39

    6 marks

    Explain how the practice of langar, associated with Sikh scripture teaching, promotes equality in society.

    (6 marks)

    Marking scheme

    Award up to 6 for points such as: langar is the free community kitchen open to all regardless of religion, caste, gender or wealth (2); everyone sits together on the same level floor to eat, breaking social hierarchy (2); it reflects the scripture's teaching that all humans are equal before one God (1); it teaches sharing, service (sewa) and charity (1); in the Kenyan context Gurdwaras feed the needy of all communities, promoting unity (1). Max 6.

40. Question 40

    1 mark

    A learner argues that the Guru Granth Sahib promotes equality. The scriptural practice that best demonstrates this teaching is:

    A. Wearing expensive robes to worship

    B. Separate reading for men and women

    C. Langar, the free community kitchen where all sit and eat together

    D. Reserving front seats for the wealthy

    (1 mark)

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41. Question 41

    1 mark

    The waving of the ceremonial whisk (chaur) over the Guru Granth Sahib during worship is a sign of:

    A. Respect and royal honour to the scripture as the living Guru

    B. Chasing away evil spirits

    C. Cooling the room

    D. Announcing the end of the service

    (1 mark)

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42. Question 42

    1 mark

    An uninterrupted reading of the Guru Granth Sahib requires a team of readers taking turns. This best teaches the value of:

    A. Individual competition

    B. Silence and isolation

    C. Cooperation and shared service (sewa)

    D. Fasting

    (1 mark)

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43. Question 43

    1 mark

    While compiling notes, Wanjiku learns that the very first composition of the Guru Granth Sahib, written by Guru Nanak Dev Ji, opens with the words 'Ik Onkar'. What is the name of this opening hymn?

    A. Ardas

    B. Anand Sahib

    C. Japji Sahib

    D. Rehras Sahib

    (1 mark)

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44. Question 44

    1 mark

    Which of these is a primary role of the Sikh scriptures in daily life?

    A. Providing moral and spiritual guidance for right living

    B. Predicting lottery numbers

    C. Serving purely as decoration

    D. Replacing the need for honest work

    (1 mark)

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45. Question 45

    1 mark

    The hymns of the Guru Granth Sahib are largely arranged according to:

    A. Author's age

    B. Alphabetical order

    C. Ragas (musical measures)

    D. Length of hymn

    (1 mark)

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46. Question 46

    1 mark

    Guru Angad Dev contributed to Sikh scripture chiefly by:

    A. Building the Golden Temple

    B. Translating the Vedas

    C. Founding the Khalsa

    D. Developing and popularising the Gurmukhi script

    (1 mark)

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47. Question 47

    4 marks

    State four roles the Guru Granth Sahib plays in the life of a Sikh community.

    (4 marks)

    Marking scheme

    Any 4, 1 mark each: gives moral and spiritual guidance for right living; serves as the eternal living Guru and source of authority; used in rites of passage (naming, marriage, funerals); source of daily prayers and hymns; provides guidance through the Hukamnama; promotes equality and unity of the community; basis for teaching values such as sewa and honest living.

48. Question 48

    1 mark

    Which statement best describes how the Guru Granth Sahib treats different religions?

    A. It condemns all other faiths

    B. It ignores other faiths entirely

    C. It commands conversion by force

    D. It respects truth found in other faiths while teaching devotion to one God

    (1 mark)

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49. Question 49

    1 mark

    During a school visit to a Gurdwara in Nairobi, learners notice the holy book placed on a raised platform under a canopy and covered with decorated cloths. The platform on which the Guru Granth Sahib is enthroned is known as the:

    A. Langar

    B. Manji Sahib

    C. Nishan Sahib

    D. Mandir

    (1 mark)

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50. Question 50

    4 marks

    (a) Identify the Guru who compiled the first version of the Sikh scripture and the year.

    (b) State two other Gurus who contributed hymns to it.

    (4 marks)

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